swindle

/ˈswin-dᵊl/

back-formation from swindler, from German Schwindler giddy person, from schwindeln to be dizzy, from Old High German swintilōn, frequentative of swintan to diminish, vanish; akin to Old English swindan to vanish

verb

  1. to obtain money or property by fraud or deceit

  2. to take money or property from by fraud or deceit

cheat cozen defraud swindle mean to get something by dishonesty or deception. cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation. cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.

noun

  1. an act or instance of swindling : fraud